KUCHING: The first night of the Kuching Jazz Festival 2024 delivered an unforgettable experience of music, culture, and celebration to over 1,000 jazz fans.
Held at the Grand Margherita Waterfront on Friday night, the event featured a dynamic lineup of local and international jazz talents.
Headlining the evening was Payung Teduh X Pusakata (Parade Hujan), an internationally acclaimed Indonesian band known for blending indie-folk and jazz into a captivating performance.
Their one-hour set, which included 10 songs, enchanted the audience with tracks like “Untuk Perempuan Yang Sedang Dalam Pelukan,” and concluded on a high note with their hit “Akad.”
The night began at 7.00pm with a performance by Sarawak’s own Swaiv, bringing a local touch to the festival’s opening.
This was followed by Malaysia’s SUHU, whose unique blend of traditional Malaysian sounds and contemporary jazz delighted the crowd.
By 8.55pm, the stage belonged to Zee Avi and the Good Things band. Known as one of Malaysia’s most cherished singer-songwriters, Zee Avi treated the audience to her soulful voice and a mix of folk, pop, and jazz.
She performed fan favourites, including her debut single “Bitter Heart” and her latest song “Oyasumi Na Sayang,” enchanting the audience with her deeply personal and melodic tunes.
As the night progressed, Thai jazz sensation Mellow Motif took the stage, delivering an eclectic fusion of jazz, bossa nova, and pop. Their sophisticated sound and dynamic stage presence kept the audience mesmerised.
Among the distinguished guests at the event were Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Datuk Hussain and his wife, the Consul General of Indonesia in Sarawak, Raden Sigit Witjaksono and his wife, as well as Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Hilmy Othman.
The festival will conclude tonight (Oct 5) with performances from Improviser (Sarawak), Fazz (Malaysia), Sang Timur Band (Sarawak), Aruel & The Fasola (Malaysia), and Atilia Haron (Malaysia), with a grand finale by Indonesian artist Rizky Febian.
